National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » Lawsuit alleges wind turbines have caused harm; Plaintiffs seek cease-and-desist order concerning Lake Winds Energy Park

Residents living near wind turbines in Lake Winds Energy Park filed suit earlier this month in 51st Circuit Court and are seeking a jury trial for their case. (The Daily News reported that it was filed then.)

The plaintiffs in the suit allege the wind farm has caused them physiological and monetary harm and will continue to do so if allowed to continue operations. They are asking for $25,000 plus interest and attorney’s fees, injunctive relief in the form of a cease-and-desist order to shut down Lake Winds Energy Park and any other punitive damages that the court (or jury) might find applicable.

The plaintiffs in the case being handled by Braun Kendrick Finkbeiner PLC of Saginaw are:

Kim and Nancy Van Nortwick; Cary and Karen Shineldecker; Jonathon and Shannon Ray; James and Mary Nichols; Fred and Susan Kaiser; Evelyn Bergaila; Kevin McVicker and Debora Harley; Daniel Connolly and Rebecca Mott; Jeanne Parsons; and Bill Parsons.

The suit makes reference to “Intrusions” of wind turbines on to the plaintiffs’ properties,

including:

• Frequent and highly disturbing noise from turbines.

• Vibrations and/or a pulse sensation caused by rotating blades of the turbines as they pass the turbine pedestal.

• Flicker/strobe light effects covering properties and intruding into homes.

• Glare from sunlight hitting the white turbines.

• Red lights that blink and reflect off the blades and “overwhelm the night sky” while being readily apparent from inside the homes.

Among the physiological problems alleged are:

• An inability to sleep.

• Headaches and pressure.

• Ringing in the ears.

• Stress and tension.

• Extreme fatigue.

• A diminished ability to concentrate.

• Nausea.

• Other physiological and cognitive effects.